Mazda3 review – the family hatch for keen drivers

Follow the author of this article

Follow the topics within this article

Mazda is known in the car world for ploughing its own furrow, and its family hatchback, the 3, is no different. Where other manufacturers have moved towards small turbocharged engines Mazda equips the 3 with its own non-turbo units, believing this delivers the best economy in real-world driving as well as long-term reliability.

The Mazda3 is also different from rivals such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai i30 in that it is available as a five-door hatchback or a four-door saloon, both priced identically, although no estate version is offered.

A range of updates in 2017 resulted in claimed improvements to interior quality, specification and handling, all of which are designed to keep the Mazda, which first went on sale in 2013, competitive against what are largely newer rivals.

Space 6/10

Rivals offer more space for passengers

The Mazda3 offers front-seat occupants plenty of space. However, those in the back may feel a little claustrophobic due to shallow rear side windows that don’t let in much light, and a roofline that drops away towards the back of the car, making headroom tight for taller adults.

That roofline reduces the boot's ultimate usefulness, too, although it will still take a folded baby buggy, and you can fold the rear seats down, just as you can in rivals. The saloon version has the same problems as the hatchback, but a bigger boot.

Surprisingly, there are no proper door pockets, merely bottle holders. But there is a storage bin between the front seats, and the glovebox is a useful size, unlike in some rivals – notably Citroens and Peugeots.

Comfort 7/10

Stick with smaller wheels for the best ride

The Mazda3 has been setup to offer a sportier drive than many of its rivals, which has resulted in a slightly firmer suspension setup than you’ll find in the likes of the Vauxhall Astra or Hyundai i30. Stick with 16-inch wheels and it’s still fine for all but the most sensitive of passengers, but on larger wheels of Sport Nav spec cars the 3 lacks the comfort of the best in class, particularly as it can’t be ordered with any kind of adaptive suspension.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is fairly vocal at idle and when revved hard (which you sometimes need to do due to the lack of a turbocharger), while of the diesels it is the 2.2-litre unit that is smoother than the 1.5.

Despite improvements to noise levels from the 2017 model year onwards, the 3 still has more tyre and wind noise than a VW Golf.

Dashboard layout 8/10

Not the classiest, but works very well

Mazda has lightly upgraded the 3’s interior as of 2017, with the most noticeable change being the replacement of the conventional handbrake with a switch to operate its electronic equivalent. In addition, there are some new materials to add extra polish to what has always been an impressively ergonomic dash layout.

The large speedo is easy to read, the heating controls intuitive to operate and the central infotainment screen, which takes care of most of the in-car functions, can be controlled either by touching the screen or by scrolling using a rotary knob behind the gear lever.

There are also buttons around this control knob that let you quickly flip between the various onscreen menus.

Easy to drive 7/10

Smooth, precise controls; poor rear view

Mazda has a knack of building cars that are satisfying to drive, and the 3 is no different. It’s not just that the 3 is good fun either, but that the consistent weighting of its controls make them very easy to operate. The beautifully precise gearchange and smooth steering are prime examples of this approach. You can also choose an automatic gearbox on the petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines.

The problem comes when you try to reverse-park the Mazda3; the view behind or over the shoulder is restricted due to the shallow rear windows. Higher-specification cars have parking sensors, and they're vital.

Those opting for the 1.5-litre diesel might also want to note that it’s sluggish enough to make you think twice about overtaking slower traffic.

Fun to drive 9/10

Keen drivers will love this car

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is available in two power outputs, and it’s the more potent of the two (or the lively 2.2-litre diesel) you’ll be wanting if you plan to make the most of the 3’s communicative steering and keenness to change direction. It’s just a shame that it is only available in Sport Nav spec which also comes with larger wheels that harm ride comfort.

In all models from 2017 onwards the eager handing is helped by the inclusion of what Mazda calls G-Vectoring Control, a system which uses the engine’s torque to distribute weight over the front wheels when cornering. It’s supposed to improve how the car responds, but whether it’s possible to notice much of a difference is another matter.

The three-year, 60,000-mile warranty that’s provided with the Mazda3 isn’t particularly special, either; you get a seven-year warranty if you choose a Kia Cee'd, five years with a Hyundai i30 or Toyota Auris, and four years with a Renault Megane.

Fuel economy 9/10

Real-world economy impresses

The most frugal engine in the range is the 1.5-litre diesel, which averaged 74mpg in EU fuel tests, although at almost 70mpg the 2.2-litre diesel isn’t terribly far behind.

However, it’s the petrol engine that is most impressive, not only for its official average of up to 55mpg, but for the fact that in the real world it is perfectly possible to get close to 50mpg without even trying. In fact, it’s easier to see good economy out of a Mazda3 petrol than it is in most of its rivals with smaller turbocharged engines.

Affordability 8/10

Some rivals are cheaper still

The Mazda3 is cheaper to buy than the equivalent Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus or Honda Civic and will hold its value well, which is good news when time comes to sell. That said, a Vauxhall Astra or Peugeot 308 are cheaper still.

Company car drivers should look to the 1.5-litre diesel engine and its sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.

Safety 9/10

Latest models boast a good amount of tech

When tested in 2013, the Mazda3 scored five stars out of five in Euro NCAP’s industry standard assessment, and all models come with six airbags and a stability system to help you control a skid.

On higher spec models Mazda also includes Advanced Smart City Brake Support, an autonomous emergency braking system that uses a camera to monitor the road and can alert the driver if it spots a hazard ahead. If he or she fails to react, the system can then automatically apply the brakes to minimise or avoid the impact.

Other available safety kit includes blind spot monitors, lane keeping assist and adaptive LED headlights which direct their beam according to surrounding traffic.

Standard spec 8/10

SE-L Nav offers the best value for money

Even entry-level SE specification comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear electric windows, air-conditioning and a Bluetooth hands-free phone connection operated through the touchscreen. Opt for SE Nav and you also get satellite navigation.

The top-spec Sport Nav model adds 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, front parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a head-up display that projects your speed and satnav instructions on to the bottom of the windscreen.

Our favourite version

2.0 Skyactiv-G 120PS SE-L Nav, list price £20,095

Options you should add Metallic paint (£550)

The verdict 8/10

The Mazda3 represents a refreshingly different approach to building a family car, with its excellent handling and good engines sure to make it stand out to keen drivers. True, some rivals offer a bigger boot and a more compliant ride, but the 3 remains well worth a look.

For all the latest news, advice and reviews from Telegraph Cars, sign up to our weekly newsletter by entering your email here